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White House, Dems see tax cut vote after election

The White House and Democratic leaders in
Congress said Sunday they would find a way to extend middle-class
tax cuts after the November elections, unable to secure GOP backing
before lawmakers break to campaign.

"One way or the other, we're going to get it done. And I
believe the pressure is going to build among the American people" said David Axelrod, President Barack Obama's top political aide.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., had suggested that a vote
could be held this coming week before lawmakers leave town for the
elections. But her deputy, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Maryland,
said Sunday that holding a vote wouldn't matter because the
legislation is still languishing in the Senate under GOP
objections.

Both parties are using the delay in a vote on the fate of these
George W. Bush-era cuts at a time of record deficits as political
ammunition this election season.

Democratic leaders have said they want to freeze tax rates for
individuals making up to $200,000 and for families earning up to
$250,000. Republicans, as well as some more conservative Democrats,
want to extend all of Bush's income tax cuts permanently, even for
the wealthiest of Americans.

Democrats think the climate for compromise will improve after
the election. They will still need at least one Republican vote in
the Senate to pass a bill.

"We are for making sure that the middle-class Americans do not
get a tax increase. And we're going to make sure that happens," Hoyer said.

Republicans say they want a chance to debate extending the tax
cuts beyond the middle class or else they will block the Democratic
proposal.

"If she's not willing to have a fair and open debate, she
should not count on our votes," House GOP Leader John Boehner said
of Pelosi.

Axelrod said that kind of strong-arm tactic will hurt
Republicans in this fall's election.

"They're going to have to explain to their constituents why
they're holding up tax cuts for the middle class," Axelrod said.
"And I think it's an untenable position to say, "We're going to
allow your taxes to go up on January 1st unless the president
agrees to give tax cuts to millionaires and billionaires."

The Senate's second-ranking Democrat said he hoped the
atmosphere will have changed after the election and the impassed
ended. "Occasionally one Republican will break ranks and help
us," said Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill.

Still, Republicans have seized on the impasse in Congress by
alleging that Democrats are contributing to consumer uncertainty.

"The Democrats have failed to lead this," said Rep. Kevin
McCarthy, R-Calif. "They are going to want to leave the House
without dealing with it. That uncertainty itself is keeping capital
on the sidelines and keeping jobs from being created in America."

Boehner said that if the House leaves without blocking the tax
increases, "it will be the most irresponsible thing that I've seen
since I have been in Washington, D.C."

Axelrod spoke on ABC's "This Week." Hoyer, Boehner and
McCarthy appeared "Fox News Sunday." Durbin was on CNN's "State
of the Union."